What You Need to Know About Peripheral Neuropathy and Fibromyalgia

Peripheral neuropathy had been associated to fibromyalgia in many ways. In fact, some suggest that it may be the root cause of fibromyalgia. But what is peripheral neuropathy and how does this affects fibro sufferers? Read on to find out.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a disorder that is related to the nerves and could extend all throughout your body’s peripheries. Your nerve connects your body to your brain which is is responsible behind the physical sensations you feel, such as pain. A fault in this link could lead to many problems.

It is your nerves that transmit signals from your skin to your brain. Your brain will then interpret this and send a message back down to the nerves. This is the reason why you feel pain in your hands whenever you touch a something hot or sharp. You are not really feeling the pain in your hand, but the sensation of pain comes from your brain. Your brain merely relies from the signals of your hand to let you know if you are injured or hurting.

With fibromyalgia, this normal process of pain is disrupted somewhere along the way. Many experts believe that the problem lies in the central nervous system however recent studies suggest that problem could be due to small nerve impairment in the skin.

The Link Between Fibromyalgia and Small Nerve Fiber Neuropathy

The concept of pain without any obvious cause is what fibro sufferers are familiar with. Recent studies suggest that nerve damage may play a bigger role in fibromyalgia.

Two separate studies conducted in 2013 and 2015 found evidence of a condition known as small nerve fiber neuropathy (SFN) in fibromyalgia participants. SFN is also a pain disorder and shows similar symptoms to fibromyalgia such as pain, burning sensations and tenderness in the hands and feet. In SFN, patients exhibit impaired small nerve fiber function resulting in increased pain. These studies suggest that the root of fibromyalgia pain may actually be neuropathic for some.

A simple test can be done to determine if you have small nerve fiber neuropathy. This test is called punch biopsy. Thus, if you are suffering from fibromyalgia, it may be a good idea to consider taking this test. It can mean discovering treatment options for your condition.

21 Comments

My fibromyalgia pain is throughout my body, head to toe 24/7/365. I have spinal stenosis, bulging disks and degenerative disk disease which certainly adds to the pain. I’ve developed Interstitial cystitis which is not uncommon for fibro sufferers. Those are just the tip of the iceberg, as they say. Everything else I have is chronic, too. It is only by the Grace of God that I can endure at all. May God continue to bless and keep each of you who have fibromyalgia and other health issues as well.

I have pain from fibro 24/7 also, with the neuropathy too, also IBS and Interstitial Cystitis. I’ve been getting sort of burning pains sporadically on the sides of my feet & hands, which I’m assuming is part of the neuropathy.

So sorry to hear of all your health challenges. May I ask why your Dr recommends going off the tramadol? It has been the only pain meds that has worked for me. I have degenerative disk, herniated disks at L4/L5, sciatic, fibro diagnosed 12 years ago, 3 open heart surgeries in the past 4 years to correct aorta dissection, thoracic & abdominal aneurysms.

Hi Bea my name is Julie, and l have had Fibromyalgia plus Lupus for 15 years
and l have tried a lot of different pain killers, the best one l find that works
is Kapanol 20mgs SR taken twice daily and useing Endone 5mgs for break through pain. I hope it helps it works well for our Fibro group of ladies 36 now
but make sure your on a good antinflammation pill it helps.
Send me a message if you have a question only to happy to help. Regards
Julie Sherry

I’m so sorry Bea, that you’re having to fight that beast, cancer, as well as chronic pain. I’m sorry I have no answers though, as I haven’t taken anything for all my pain except for headaches, I take Excedrin and migraines, I have a prescription.

I also have pain from head to toe 24/7 with flares of severe pain. Some days it’s even painful to wear clothes! Nothing has worked for my pain but neurontin has helped with the burning pain in feet and ankles. I also work a full time job and a part time job… both desk jobs and both are from home thank goodness! I have back issues. I wish everyone experiencing chronic pain the best! May God bless us all

I have A Pos blood. My latest shooting nerve type pains are in my forearms, top of wrists into top of my hands, I was just told by my Orthopedic Dr= Tendonitis. Rest them as much as I can and wear braces. I do have Carpal Tunnel symptoms in both but this is now in addition to that.

I’m Rh a neg and suffer both with migraines and have had both carpal tunnel ops on both hands tramadol and neurontin and oxyContin are the only pain relief that seems to work. Being a chef it’s hard to keep going but We do don’t we.
Busy having a major flare up at the moment,, but hubby doesn’t understand,, I like you all wish this condition was curable, and hope you are all keeping well xx

Hello
I understand what u r talking about…I use. “Turmeric Curcumin with black pepper” I take 4-6000 mg per day…if I hurting I try this first… If it works for u it’s suppose dose wonders for all kinds of things… google it.
Feel better

I feel like someone has a voodoo doll on me. Sticking pins in me. Then pain in hands if they get cold till i could cry. Or chop them off. When i walk the dogs my shoilder start hurting and my foot will twinge. My neck tendons (i call them my deadrie rasheeeds ) they twang like someone flicking a lastic band. Im scared to move. There was one time i litreraĺly moved my eyes down to the right and something clicked in my neck, i couldnt move for days. I hate it. Ive now ordered cbd capsuals and iodene as i have underactive thyroid. And i use cannabis. I will never take meds off dr again. I was on pregablin and cytralopam i had to come off them as i found out i was pregnant. It was horrific. Cold tukey is not the word my whole body would shake like a chicken walking is the only way i can describe it. And the pain was all over. The cannabis got me through. Cant wait to try the capsuals. Anyone else experience these symptoms.

I have been diagnosed with Fibro for 13 yrs now, have RA, spinal stenosis and Chronic Fatigue. Recently I am experiencing a new pain. It is low in my pelvic area. I had a hysterectomy 3yrs ago. CT scan showed nothing. Feels like it is in my pelvic bone, but radiates from one side to another. Has anyone else had anything like this before?

I have pain mostly in the left side of pelvis, I think its my ovary. I too had a hysterectomy but they left my ovaries. I was diagnosed almost 3 yrs ago with fibro. I also have DDD, severe facet degeneration on right side. I recently had a new type on injection on my L4,L5 and S4 . So far it seems to be helping. This was after numerous other injections, PT, accupuncture, massage therapy and laser spine surgery. Ive been on medical leave since July 2017 with no sign of my Dr releasing me back to work. Good luck everyone with continued support